Advocacy Update: List of Schools Classified as "High Need and Underfunded" Released

July 18, 2019

A provision included in the 2019 enacted state budget requires that districts with individual schools that have been identified by the state as "high need and underfunded" are required to establish plans that "shall prioritize funding within the district to such schools." The law further requires that districts with identified schools submit to the Education Commissioner by September 1, 2019 a report specifying how such prioritization will be achieved.

Last week, a list of the schools identified as "high need and underfunded" as well as the questions to be answered was released along with step-by-step instructions for submitting this report.

If your district is listed at the link below and your district was not contacted, email SSFTF@nysed.gov for assistance. Only 9 districts outside the Big 5 were captured in this reporting requirement.

The New York State Board of Elections has released a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document with information on implementation of the newly expanded time off to vote mandate. The FAQ addresses which elections are included and how part time employees are addressed. In addition, the New York State Department of Civil Service has put out guidance specific to public employers which prohibits public employers from asking for proof that an employee is registered or has voted. The Guidance and a FAQ based on the BOE Document and amended by NYSSBA can be accessed below.

The deadline to submit proposed resolutions and bylaw amendments is fast approaching. Districts wishing to submit a resolution or bylaw amendment can use the 2019 Resolution Kit, linked below, as a guide and resource.

All proposed resolutions and bylaw amendments must be received at NYSSBA headquarters no later than 5pm on Friday, July 19, 2019. Information on other key dates, as well as the results of the 2019 Resolutions Survey, is included in the kit. Please consider reviewing this information with your colleagues at your next board meeting and consider submitting resolutions of importance to your board.

If you have any questions about the resolutions process or the survey, you should also feel free to reach out to NYSSBA staff at any time. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Danielle Grasso at danielle.grasso@nyssba.org or 518-783-3734.

​NYSSBA's Governmental Relations team will continue to report on these and other issues. For more information, visit our Key Issues Page, and be sure to keep up with NYSSBA on Facebook and Twitter